USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 80
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building, which was accomplished in 1873, at a cost of $10,000. School was commenced in the new building, Nov. 4, 1873. The district issued bonds to raise the neces- sary funds to build the school-house. The building stands five rods back from the east line of Chestnut Street, and faces Silver Street. It is built of brick, is three stories high, with a basement, and contains four school-rooms capable of accommodating five hundred pupils. The third floor is reserved for a hall. The building was erected under the supervision of S. J. Woodard, E. W. Case, and H. E. Barker. The school has on its rolls at present about two hundred scholars under the charge of four teachers, and is an institution of which the village may well be proud. The present Board of Trustees is composed of A. B. Strong, M.D., Assessor ; G. G. Clark, Moderator ; H. P. Parmelee, Director; B. F. Tinkham, A. M. R. Fitzsimmons, and George W. Fitzsimmons.
In 1873, in accordance with the wishes of her citizens, the village of Reading was incorporated by a special act of the Legislature, passed April 12. The territory included in the corporation was one mile square, the centre being at the corner of sections 22, 23, 26, and 27. The first elec- tion was appointed at the school-house, but was adjourned to the Howder House (now the McConnel House). It was held on the 14th of April, and officers were elected whose names, together with their successors, are given below. The names of the first board of trustees and of the present board are also given :
President.
Recorder.
Assessor.
1873. Asahel B. Strong.
Seymour J. Smith. Jas. C. Cunningham.
1874. Hasey E. Barker. J. Eldred.
George Young.
1875. George Young. J. R. Jones.
L. S. Parmelee.
1876. A.M.R.Fitzsimmons. Eugene Clizbe.
George Young.
1877. Levi H. Thomas.
"
1878.
William Rogers.
Jasper A. Waterman.
First Trustees.
Present Trustees.
Sanford Stiles.
Leonard W. Pierce.
Henry F. Doty.
George W. Fitzsimmons.
Thomas Berry.
John Q. Mickle.
Lucas Terpening.
Thomas Berry.
Hasey E. Barker.
Samuel N. Curtiss.
Aside from the business enterprises already spoken of, we now find several others worthy of notice, which we sketch as briefly as possible The Colby Wringer Com- pany's works were erected in 1872, by the subscriptions of the citizens of Reading, and cost about $20,000. The company was formerly located at Waterbury, Vt., but in January, 1873, began here the manufacture of the Colby wringers and washing-machines. A part of the building was also occupied for a time by the Reading Manufacturing Company, before referred to. Upon the breaking up of that company, their branch of manufactures was taken up and continued by the Colby Company. The manufactures now amount to about $30,000 per annum, and employment is furnished to about 25 men. Besides this, considerable piece-work is done outside the shop. The works are run by steam-power, supplied by an engine of 45 horse-power, and consume annually from one-half to three-quarters of a million feet of pine, black-walnut, oak, and maple lum- ber. The office of the company is in Vermont, and the . works here are in charge of J. R. Jones, Superintendent.
Y
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RESIDENCE OF HENRY K. ABBOTT, READING, MICHIGAN.
319
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Thomas' Ink- and Blueing-Factory was established here in the spring of 1872. It had been run in a small way for three or four years at Waterbury, Vt., but soon after the opening of the works here, it began to grow in importance, and now ranks as the foremost of the business establish- ments of the place. The sales during the past year have aggregated about $75,000. From occupying a space of 1600 square feet the buildings have grown until they now cover an area of about 15,000 square feet, and the help employed has risen from 4 in number until nearly 50 hands are employed at the works, beside the agents who are en- gaged in selling the manufactures throughout the country. Thomas' inks are now in use in all the departments of the Government at Washington, except the War Department. Levi H. Thomas is the owner and was the originator of the enterprise.
The Reading Cheese-Factory was built in 1866-67, by Col. Frederick Fowler, Daniel Kinne, John Fitzsimmons, and L. S. Parmelee, and has been in successful operation since that time. The most prosperous season was that of 1872, when the sales aggregated over $22,000. The past year the sales aggregated about $6000.
In 1874, C. D. Warner started a medical dispensary in Reading for the manufacture of a cough-remedy, known as " Warner's White Wine and Tar Syrup." The business has increased till the sales amount to about $10,000 per annum, and furnish employment to about five persons be- sides traveling agents.
In June, 1877, a new business was introduced here by Mr. Stillman Parker, which is that of tanning and making up buffalo-robes. The tannery has a capacity of 2000 robes per annum, and employs about 20 hands. The busi- ness is conducted under the management of Mr. R. Wilbur.
The first and only banking institution in town is the Exchange Bank, of Chapman & Co., which was organized in March, 1873, by H. B. and A. R. Chapman. It was for some time carried on in the hardware-store conducted by Mr. Chapman, but is now removed to fine and conve- nient rooms in the new block recently erected, and is doing a good business, furnishing the business men of the town the facilities that go so far to make up success.
We may summarize the present business of the village by briefly stating that there are about 25 stores and shops, 2 hotels, 2 liveries, about 25 manufactories and mechanics' shops, and several firms and individuals dealing in grain and produce ; in all, representing 35 different branches of industry. Few inland towns can make as good a showing, and we can justly say that it is owing solely to the energy and liberality of the citizens, who have worked for the general good instead of the promotion of selfish ends.
Two of these, whom we have not particularly referred to before, are deserving of a more special mention from their having also been called upon to serve the people in the capacity of legislators. We allude to Frederick Fowler, who was a member of the House in 1857, and of the Senate in 1865, and who earned his military title by noble service in the Union army, and to Rey. L. S. Parmelee, who was a member of the House in 1867, and has served as postmaster since 1861, with the exception of the admin- istration of Andrew Johnson.
The religious convictions of the people are well attested by the numerous churches, brief histories of which we here present, prefacing them with the remark that in each case they are the best we were able to obtain.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized at an early day in the history of this town. Scarcely four years had elapsed since the first blows of the settler's axe awoke the echoes of the startled forest before sufficient numbers of settlers of the Baptist per- suasion had arrived to warrant an effort to found a church of that denomination in Reading. Consequently, a council was called, which met at the house of Bazaliel Palmer, on the site of the present grist-mill, on the 24th of August, 1839. This council was composed of Revs. Newman Havens, Tru- man Burroughs, and Erastus Spear. The two latter were the respective pastors of the churches at Brockville and Jackson, Ind. Rev. Truman Burroughs was chosen Mod- erator, and Daniel Weaver, Clerk, and the church was then formed with the following members, viz .: Samuel and Ma- tilda Seamans, Frederick and Abigail Perring, Daniel and Emily A. Weaver, Stephen C. and Eliza Perring, Aaron Thompson, and Ann Morey. The first officers of the church were Samuel Seamans, Deacon ; Daniel Weaver, Church Clerk.
In June, 1841, the church joined the " Raisin River Association," and remained connected with it until the " Hillsdale Association" was formed, since which time it has been a member of that body.
The pastors and those who have served as pulpit supplies, for a greater or less period, have been, as near as may be, in the following order: Revs. Truman Burroughs, L. H. Stocker, Erastus Spear, - Blanchard, Chamberlain Fuller, A. Town, Truman Burroughs, J. D. Hosford, Joel Lyon, - Kelly, James R. Abbott, M. H. Prentiss, Ly- man Palmer, S. D. Burlingame (who was ordained here Dec. 20, 1871), M. H. De Witt, William Read, and J. C. Armstrong, who is the present pastor, and commenced his labors here in September, 1877.
At an early day a log meeting-house was commenced on the corner opposite the grist-mill, but the work was given up before much progress had been made, and the meetings were, for a period of about twenty years, held at private houses, barns, and, later, at school-houses, until the present Free-Will Baptist church in the north part of the town was built in 1859. That church was built by the two societies, and this society had the use of it for one-half the time. Many of the early meetings were held at the house of Judge Mickle, who joined the church at an early day, and has been a prominent member and one of its principal support- ers from that time. The present elegant church edifice was erected in the year 1872, on the lot purchased of Mrs. David D. Prouty, lying on the east side of Chestnut Street. The entire cost of the church and site was nearly $10,000. The year following a parsonage was built, adjoining the church on the south, at a cost of $1000. Both of these buildings are of brick, and add much to the beauty and at- tractiveness of the village.
Samuel Seamans, George C. Lewis, Aaron Thompson, H. H. Ferris, E. P. Purdy, E. L. Kelly, and J. C. Chappell, have
320
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
been the deacons of this church, and all, except Seamans, Lewis, and Ferris, are now living and acting in that capa- city. The present membership of the church is 101.
The society was incorporated at a meeting held in the North Reading meeting-house, in the fall of 1871. Rev. Lyman Palmer was Moderator of the meeting, and Aaron Thompson and H. H. Ferris, Inspectors of Election. The following board of trustees was elected, viz .: Stephen Allen, Levi Wood, Andrew J. Rising, John Fitzsimmons, Treas .; Henry C. Mickle, Clerk; Bazaliel Palmer and John Mickle.
The present officers of the church and society are J. R. Abbott, Jr., Clerk of the Church; Henry C. Mickle, Clerk of the Society ; John Fitzsimmons, Treasurer ; E. L. Kelly, John Fitzsimmons, Henry C. Mickle, Myron Perry, F. Andrews, John Chappell, S. W. Post, Trustees.
. The Sabbath-school connected with this church was or- ganized as a separate school in 1873, with Mr. Ebenezer L. Kelly as Superintendent. He held that position until the spring of 1878, when he resigned and Rev. J. C. Arm- strong was chosen in his stead, and is still acting. Miss Georgia Fitzsimmons is the Secretary, and the school is in a fairly prosperous condition, with a membership of about 60.
FIRST FREE BAPTIST CHURCH.
The first church of this denomination was the result of a series of meetings held at the Berry school-house, three miles southwest of Reading village, by Rev. L. S. Parme- lee, in the winter of 1857. About 40 persons were con- verted, and the meeting to organize a church was held at that place on the 21st of February. It was then adjourned to Reading, where the church was organized, March 1, 1857, the hand of fellowship being given by Rev. E. B. Fairfield, President of Hillsdale College, to the following 18 persons who constituted the church, viz. : L. S. and Julia A. Parmelee, J. H. and Margaret Smith, Charles and Lydia Pierce, A. E. and Jane E. Griffith, Washington and Iantha Bailey, A. G. Bigelow, Fanny Stevens, Richard Dorlisca, Rhoda Berry, Abigail Potter, Esther Gleason, and Maria S. Worden. At this meeting Mr. A. E. Griffith was elected church clerk.
Commencing with this small membership the church ran along until the winter of 1857-58, when a series of union meetings was held in connection with the Methodists, Elder Parmelee and Rev. Wm. Doust preaching on alternate evenings, and a general revival was experienced, by which 33 members were added to this church. A year later a case of discipline created a disturbance, which resulted in a loss of 17 members. From this time on, for a period of eighteen years, the growth of the church was slow, steady, and healthy, and perfect harmony reigned among its mem- bers. Not a single case of discipline was necessitated, and the membership at one time rose to 134. Near the close of this era of peace and good feeling, in the winter of 1876-77, another series of meetings was held by Rev. Giles Burnham, and was followed by a glorious revival of the work of grace, and 40 members were added to the church. A year later the members became divided on a point of doctrine, which caused 52 members to withdraw by letter from the fellowship of the church, leaving but
70 to maintain the organization. Since that time two have joined, making the present numerical strength 72.
For the first eight years of the church's existence Rev. F. B. Fairfield was its nominal pastor, but most of the labor fell on Rev. L. S. Parmelee, who was styled the associate pastor. He preached three-fourths of the time and dis- charged all the other pastoral duties, and, at the expiration of the eight years, became the regular pastor and continued to act in that capacity till Jan. 1, 1878, making his term of service twenty-one years. During that time he united several hundred anxious couples in the bonds of matrimony, and has preached over 800 funeral sermons. He has been the principal mainstay as he was the principal founder of the church in this village. He was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Aug. 20, 1815, and came to Reading in April, 1856. He was not educated for the ministry and did not study in any theological school, but was licensed to preach the gospel and has met with good success in his ministerial work. Since his resignation of the pastorate the pulpit has been supplied by Rev. D. W. C. Durgin, President of Hillsdale College, and by Rev. C. B. Mills, also of Hillsdale.
The society was incorporated April 12, 1858, Rev. L. S. Parmelee presiding at the meeting, and H. B. Worden acting as secretary. The following trustees were elected, viz .: George Campbell, Elias Hakes, D. D. Prouty, George Youngs, and Washington Bailey. April 5, 1859, Frederick Fowler was elected trustee in the place of D. D. Prouty, deceased, and has held the office ever since. The first deacons were Elias Hakes, George Young, and Lucas Terpening. The first associated choristers were John W. Stevens and A. G. Bigelow, who served about five years, and were then succeeded by Martin H. Parmelee, who con- ducted the singing from that time till the time of his death, in the spring of 1878, a period of about fifteen years. Previous to the building of the church the meetings were held about a year in the Methodist church and for a short time in the school-house. The church was built in the summer and fall of 1858, under the supervision of Rev. L. S. Parmelee, George Young, and H. B. Worden, building committee. It is a wood building ; dimensions 34 by 60 feet, with a steeple and spire 83 feet high, and comfortable sittings for 300 people. Including $300 paid for a bell, the total cost was $2600. It has been repaired once, a furnace put in, an orchestra built on, and new seats made, costing in all about $1500 more. The church lot, located on Chestnut Street, was the gift of David D. Prouty. The church was dedicated Jan. 1, 1859, by Rev. E. B. Fairfield.
The present officers of the church are Frederick Fowler, A. H. Hall, Washington Bailey, W. E. Austin, L. D. Smith, Trustees ; Washington Bailey, A. G. Bigelow, Dea- cons ; W. E. Austin, Clerk of Church and Society.
The Sunday-school connected with this church was or- ganized in 1858, and has had a continuous existence to the present. The average attendance is about 70. J. A. Waterman was the first Superintendent, and A. H. Hall is the present one.
SECOND FREE BAPTIST CHURCH OF READING.
This society was organized through the efforts of Rev. E. B. Fairfield, in 1858. The original membership was
RESIDENCE OF JOHN COLE, READING, MICH.
1
321
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
drawn, to some extent, from the First Baptist Society. Among the most prominent of the early members were William Balcom, Marcus Balcom, and Garner Archer, and their respective families. The church was built in 1858, the Baptist society paying half the cost and being entitled to use it one-half the time. It cost $2300 and will seat about 300 people. The pastors of the church have been Rev. E. B. Fairfield, two Elder Davis's, Elder Rice, Prof. Dunn, and Elder Limbocker, the present incumbent. . The church has had a pretty large membership, at one time amounting to 150, and it is now not much below that num- ber. The church is located on section 3, on land donated by John Mickle.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The First Presbyterian Church and Society of Read- ing was inaugurated by a meeting held at the Methodist church in Reading, on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 5, 1868, of which Rev. F. R. Gallagher, D.D., of Hillsdale, was Moderator, and G. B. Barnes was Clerk. The meeting was well attended, and ten persons presented letters from the Presbyterian Church of Hillsdale, two from the Pres- byterian Church of Pleasantville, Ohio, and two from the Christian Church at Salem, Ohio. Their names, in the order mentioned above, were Jasper A. Waterman, Mary Waterman, Hannah Stiles, Sally Van Etten, James O'Donoughue, Laura O'Donoughue, Julia Taylor, Nancy M. Hicks, Cornelia Strong, Olive Abbott, Ezra Ketchum, Phebe Ketchum, Harrison Yates, and Susan R. Yates. These were all received as members, and proceeded to or- ganize a church by electing J. A. Waterman and Ezra Ketchum as Ruling Elders, and G. B. Barnes as Stated Clerk. A meeting of the session was then held, and Ellen Morris, Lois A. St. John, Sarah J. Ketchum, and Lewis B. Ketchum were admitted on profession of faith. After a sermon by Rev. Mr. Gallagher, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered, which completed the services of the day.
For the first year the services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church, then for a little over two years in the Free-Will Baptist church, and after that no regular preach- ing was had until the church was built. The prayer-meet- ings were, however, continued regularly and were well sus- tained.
Rev. G. B. Barnes was the first minister, and preached two years. He was not ordained to the ministry, however, until after he finished his labors here. He was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Fleming, who remained some three months. Then, after a brief interval, Rev. James Quick came, and served a year. Since that time Rev. E. M. Lewis, Rev. James Curtiss, and Rev. W. F. Matthews have each served a while as pastor, and at the present time Rev. M. L. Boo- her is acting in that capacity. In addition to those already named, Rev. Mr. Fleming, Rev. W. J. Stoutenburg, and others have preached occasionally.
The question of building a church was agitated as early as the year 1870, and a subscription was started for that purpose. A lot containing 56 square rods was bought from Mr. H. B. Chapman for $300, the most of which sum was
paid through the efforts of the ladies of the congregation. They are also entitled to great credit for their indefatigable efforts to secure the extinguishment of the debt incurred in the building of the church.
The building was erected in the spring and summer of 1872, but was not finished off inside until the spring of 1873. June 22, 1873, the church was dedicated, the sermon on that occasion being preached by Rev. George B. Barnes, of Three Rivers. Rev. James Quick, of Bliss- field, preached in the evening. The church is built of brick, and is 38 feet wide and 55 feet long. It cost about $5000; and the aid received from the Church Erection Fund was $700. At the dedication a sum nearly sufficient to liquidate the $2400 indebtedness was pledged, and $60 was raised towards purchasing an organ. The church is neatly frescoed and well furnished, and has an organ that cost $450.
The incorporation of the society was effected on the 24th of January, 1870, by the election of the following officers : Trustees, H. K. Abbott, A. B. Strong, Alfonzo Schafer, J. A. Waterman, Ira Mead, Seymour J. Smith, Solomon T. Green, Samuel R. Hicks, Byron T. Scammon. J. A. Waterman, Chairman ; Edward P. Wadsworth, Clerk ; S. T. Green, Treasurer ; S. R. Hicks, Collector.
The board is at present composed of five members : William Skinner, Zalmon B. Stillson, Byron T. Scammon, James O'Donoughue, and Samuel Fawkes. Z. B. Stillson is the clerk and treasurer of the board, and J. O'Donoughue is the clerk of the church.
Deacons S. R. Hicks and John H. Boyden and Elders S. R. Hicks and J. O'Donoughue are the present officers of the church. L. E. Judson, E. P. Wadsworth, John C. Bradley, E. J. Mills, and Dr. E. V. N. Hall have also acted as elders during the church's existence. The mem- bership has risen from 18 to a present active membership of 74.
THE FRATERNITIES OF READING.
The Masonic fraternity was the first to start societies in this town, and they first put in an appearance in the winter of 1858. At that time a lodge was formed under a dis- pensation from the Grand Lodge of the State, and continued to work under that authority until regularly chartered, Jan. 13, 1860, under the name of
READING LODGE, NO. 117, F. AND A. M.
The lodge met with good success, and added rapidly to its list of members. It purchased the hall in the third story of the Reading House, and fitted it up at a total expense of about $1500. It still continues its meetings there on the Wednesday on or before each full moon. Its present roll of members comprises 120 names. The lodges at Camden, Cambria Mills, and Hall's Corners, all are off- shoots from this lodge. We give below a list of the first officers, and also of the present officers of the lodge :
First Officers .- W. M., George Fitzsimmons ; S. W., John Mickle; J. W., George Campbell; Sec., Lewis H. Mallery ; Treas, Bingham D. Abbott; S. D., Justin H. Ransom ; J. D., S. Rising; Tyler, M. Mallery.
41
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
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Present Officers .- W. M., L. W. Pierce; S. W., A. H. Hall; J. W., J. W. Kelly; Sec., George F. Murray; Treas., John Fitzsimmons; S. D., S. G. Woodard; J. D., E. Seekins ; Tyler, E. Mellon.
The second society organized by the fraternity was a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, known as
SUMMIT CHAPTER, NO. 49, R. A. M.
It was organized, under a dispensation from the Grand Chapter of the State of Michigan, June 8, 1867, and re- ceived its charter, conferring full power as a subordinate chapter, on the 24th of February, 1868. The membership at the time of organization was 14, and has grown until at present the number of members is 65. The regular con- vocations were at first held on the evening of the fourth Monday in each month, at Masonic Hall, but on March 23, 1868, the time was changed to the Monday evening on or before the full moon in each month. The chapter has been a successful working one from its formation, and har- mony has ever pervaded its workings in all its departments. The following are the first and the present officers, viz. :
First Officers .- H. P., C. B. Reynolds ; K., S. B. Mal- lery ; S., John Fritts ; C. of H., A. B. Strong; P. S., S. Davis; R. A. C., B. Moss; M. of 1st V., Jasper A. Wa- terman ; M. of 2d V., L. H. Terpening; M. of 3d V., Eleazer Gleason; Sec., O. P. Crittenden ; Treas., Morton Meigs; Sent., Daniel Kinne.
Present Officers .- H. P., A. B. Strong; K., C. B. Rey- nolds ; S., G. G. Clark ; C. of H., S. J. Woodard; P. S., S. Davis; R. A. C., S. Orr; M. of 1st V., B. Moss ; M. of 2d V., William Fritts; M. of 3d V., L. W. Pierce ; Sec., A. H. Hall; Treas., John Fitzsimmons; Sent., John Fritts.
The third and last of the Masonic societies of Reading was organized Feb. 2, 1870, and is called
READING COUNCIL, NO. 31.
It has a membership of 25. The following were the first and are the present officers :
First Officers .- T. I. G. M., C. B. Reynolds; D. I. G. M., Daniel Kinne; P. C. W., John Fritts ; C. G., S. Davis ; Treas., S. D. Mallery ; Rec., E. W. Reynolds ; C. C., George Clark ; G. S. and Sent., Morton Meigs.
Present Officers .- T. I. G. M., C. B. Reynolds ; D. I. G. M., John Fitzsimmons ; P. C. W., S. J. Woodard; C. G., B. F. Morse ; Treas., John Fritts; Rec., A. B. Strong ; C. C., W. S. Fritts; G. S. and Sent., S. Davis.
The fraternity of Odd-Fellows started at a later date the
READING LODGE, NO. 287, I. 0. 0. F.,
having received its charter from the Grand Lodge of the State on the 15th of November, 1876. The number of charter members was six, and the lapse of two years' time has added largely to the number of members, until 52 names are now borne upon the roll. The lodge was instituted by Deputy Grand Master L. C. Tillotson, of Hillsdale, assisted
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